Please join us on Monday, April 8th at 7:30pm at The Greens Farms Church Social Hall for a discussion focused on how smart devices, and social media, are impacting YOUNG kids today (elementary school and younger) and how we- as parents – can do something to change the future.
This community is smart. We are kicking off a “Be SMART Together” campaign, focused on keeping smart devices out of the hands of kids for as long as possible (through elementary school as a starting goal!)
If we all stick together, then nobody will be left out!
Moderator and Panelists:
*We also hope to have 1-2 current 5th graders joining us for part of the discussion
Tara Varsov (Moderator) – Tara Varsov, is a local family psychotherapist in private practice who has been providing therapy, mental health consultation and parent support services for over 20 years. Tara also works with local schools in giving parent and staff development workshops to facilitate community discussion on childhood/adolescent issues and development. Tara lives in Westport with her husband and two children.
David Bernstein (Panelist) – Forensic Psychologist and Westport dad of three boys who runs http://protectmy.family, a resource created to hep keep children safe from everything from bullying and hazards to child abduction and pedifiles. David has held appointments at Yale University School of Medicine, where he completed his doctoral internship, and Harvard University Medical School, where he completed his postdoctoral residency in Forensic Psychology in the Department of Law and Psychiatry.
Maria Fuller (Panelist) – Mom to two girls, and Founder of Raising a Powerful Girl Website and the Empowered Girl Movement; her Mission is to Empower Parents and Caretakers to Foster Independence, Leadership and Strong Personal Identity in Girls so they can change the world.
Michael Torraco – Owner of QuickTex Computer Specialists and father of newborn son Skyler. Michael has been helping families and small businesses find solutions to all their computer needs. With over 25 years experience as a certified network engineer, focused on dealing with technology issues related to hardware, software, networking, data backup / recovery, device management and securing home and business networks.
Nadja Streiter (Panelist) – Clinical Social Worker and Therapist focused on helping kids (and adults) manage Technology Addiction. She works at The Center for Internet and Technology Addiction, and helps people find a balance between healthy and adaptive use of technology versus unhealthy overuse, dependence, and addiction. Their motto is “plug back into life.”